The Life of George H.W. Bush

A look back on the impact of this presidential leader.

Turning Swords into Plowshares

After a bruising 1992 campaign marked by personal attacks and hostilities, President Bush went on to eventually become close friends with his once-aggressive adversary, Bill Clinton. The two ex-presidents buried the hatchet and joined forces in raising funds for survivors of the devastating 2004 tsunami. They became friends and golfed together. As Bush grew weaker with age, Clinton called often to check on him – a gesture much appreciated by Bush’s wife and sons. Barbara Bush described the relationship in a Parade magazine interview as similar to that of a father and son. She suggested Clinton regarded Bush as “the father he never had.”